Disc drive magnetic component with self assembled features

Abstract

A component for use in a disc drive includes a component substrate having a substrate surface. A self-assembled image layer is formed over the substrate surface. The self-assembled image layer includes a developed region defining a feature with a developed width. Each component also includes a feature layer that is self-assembled over the image layer. The feature layer is joined by a self-assembly process to the developed region. The feature layer has a feature width that is limited to the developed width.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A write head for accessing data on a disc in a disc drive, comprising: 
       a substrate having a trailing edge surface and an air bearing surface;  
       a self-assembled image layer that comprises an organic monolayer that is formed over the trailing edge surface, the self-assembled image layer including a developed region having a developed width aligned with the air bearing surface; and  
       a write top pole including a write pole tip that is joined by a self-assembly bond to the developed region, the write pole tip having a pole tip width that is limited to the developed width.  
     
     
       2. The write head of  claim 1  wherein the self-assembled image layer comprises a patterned monolayer. 
     
     
       3. The write head of  claim 1  wherein the write pole tip comprises a monolayer of self-assembled magnetic nanoparticles. 
     
     
       4. The write head of  claim 3  wherein the write pole tip comprises a plurality of monolayers of self-assembled magnetic nanoparticles. 
     
     
       5. The write head of  claim 4  wherein the plurality of monolayers are each formed of the same material. 
     
     
       6. The write head of  claim 4  wherein the plurality of monolayers include monolayers that are not all formed of the same material. 
     
     
       7. The write head of  claim 4  wherein the plurality of monolayers comprise nanoparticles having a spherical shape. 
     
     
       8. The write head of  claim 4  wherein the plurality of monolayers comprise nanoparticles having a rod shape. 
     
     
       9. The write head of  claim 1  further comprising a seed layer, and the image layer is formed on the seed layer. 
     
     
       10. The write head of  claim 9  wherein the seed layer comprises a material selected from the group of NiFe, NiV and Ru. 
     
     
       11. The write head of  claim 1  wherein the write pole tip has an aspect ratio of at least 10:1. 
     
     
       12. The write head of  claim 1  wherein the self-assembled image layer defines a developed width of no more than 30 nanometers. 
     
     
       13. The write head of  claim 1  wherein the self-assembled image layer comprises an alkylsiloxane. 
     
     
       14. The write head of  claim 1  wherein the self-assembled image layer comprises an alkylthiol. 
     
     
       15. The write head of  claim 1  wherein the self-assembled image layer comprises octadecyltrichlorosilane. 
     
     
       16. The write head of  claim 1  wherein the write pole further comprises a thin film write pole body. 
     
     
       17. A magnetic component for use in a disc drive, comprising: 
       a component substrate having a substrate surface;  
       a self-assembled image layer that comprises an organic monolayer that is formed over the substrate surface, the self-assembled image layer including a developed region defining a developed width; and  
       a magnetic feature layer that is self-assembled over the self-assembled image layer, the feature layer being joined by a self-assembly bond to the developed region, the feature layer having a feature width that is limited to the developed width.  
     
     
       18. The magnetic component of  claim 17  wherein the self-assembled image layer comprises a patterned monolayer. 
     
     
       19. The magnetic component of  claim 17  wherein the magnetic feature layer comprises a monolayer of self-assembled magnetic nanoparticles. 
     
     
       20. The magnetic component of  claim 17  wherein the magnetic feature layer comprises a plurality of monolayers of self-assembled magnetic nanoparticles. 
     
     
       21. The magnetic component of  claim 17  wherein the component substrate is a slider in the disc drive. 
     
     
       22. The magnetic component of  claim 17  wherein the component substrate is a disc in the disc drive. 
     
     
       23. A magnetic component for use in a magnetic data storage device, comprising: 
       a component substrate having a substrate surface;  
       a self-assembled image layer that comprises an organic monolayer that is formed over the substrate surface, the self-assembled image layer including a developed region defining a developed width; and  
       a magnetic feature layer that is self-assembled over the self-assembled image layer, the magnetic feature layer being joined by a self-assembly bond to the developed region, the magnetic feature layer having a feature width that is limited to the developed width.  
     
     
       24. The magnetic component of  claim 23  wherein the self-assembled image layer comprises a patterned monolayer. 
     
     
       25. The magnetic component of  claim 23  wherein the magnetic feature layer comprises a monolayer of self-assembled magnetic nanoparticles. 
     
     
       26. The magnetic component of  claim 23  wherein the magnetic feature layer comprises a plurality of monolayers of self-assembled magnetic nanoparticles. 
     
     
       27. The magnetic component of  claim 23  wherein the component substrate comprises a read/write head in the magnetic data storage device. 
     
     
       28. The magnetic component of  claim 23  wherein the component substrate comprises magnetic media in the magnetic data storage device. 
     
     
       29. The magnetic component of  claim 23  wherein the magnetic feature layer comprises part of a transducer.